1 Big Question Facing Each Green Bay Packers Player: Running Backs

Can AJ Dillon generate more explosive runs for the Green Bay Packers?

AJ Dillon finished the 2021 season with 803 rushing yards, but relatively speaking, he had very few explosive plays as a ball carrier.

With 194 rushing attempts, Dillon would have only nine carries of 10+ yards, which ranked 47th out of 61 running backs. For added context, Jonathan Taylor led all running backs with 50 such carries while Elijah Mitchell ranked fifth with 36.

Dillon would also rank 53rd out of the same 61 running backs in PFF’s breakaway percentage, and as Zach Kruse of Packers Wire pointed out, Dillon was the only running back to carry the ball at least 150 times and have less than two runs of 20-plus yards.

Now, not all of that falls on Dillon, as the offensive line play wasn’t nearly as stout as it had been in 2020 when fully healthy. As a team, the Packers went from generating 53 explosive running plays to only 37. Dillon would rank 17th in yards after contact and 22nd in missed tackles forced.

While many are wondering how this Green Bay Packers offense is going to function with the unknowns at receiver, a more effective run game — including more big plays — will go a long way in helping this unit move the ball.